Few days ago I posted with the idea of putting Kuyt at RB. Now admittedly I'm slightly concerned, with him at LB .....*fingers crossed*......
Ruud was just on ESPN and said he full expects that the system will adapt as the match goes on and that it could be that they end up 4-3-3 with Kuyt moving up to left wing and Janmaat dropping to the back lines with Blind sliding out a little more on the left. I agree that van Gaal has a plan!
Very tactical all half and the defense did just enough to prevent any dangerous shots. Match official is all that bad though he's letting Robben get away with a lot of flopping.
Respect for Kuyt. Holding himself up nicely I like that Nigel look of "wtf?" when Chilean header went unmarked; could've been down 0-1 there
It's going to be an interesting 2nd half and I wonder if it remains goalless at 70 minutes whether van Gaal will play for the draw and make some defensive substitutions. IMO that's always a dangerous way to play unless your team wears the Blue of Italy who are past masters in this kind of play.
Too negative a display in the first half for my taste. Hope they'll be a bit more positive in the second. That said... Defending is good. Jan Mulder is blasting van Gaal for his tactics (on Belgian TV) and says he will not watch the parade should they become world champions with this kind of football. "betonvoetbal" and "ploeterzooitje" just two of the qualifications Mulder used.